Olympic swimmer Tom Dean has shared new photos with ex-girlfriend Charlotte Phillips after their 2024 breakup was pulled into “Strictly curse” headlines.
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant posted a mirror selfie with Phillips on Instagram Stories and wrote, “Happy Birthday, lots,” with a heart emoji, according to The Sun.
Dean also included a photo of himself and Phillips posing together in a garden in a carousel captioned, “Racing season! (and a few things in between).” Entertainment Daily reported that the new photos came nearly two years after the couple split following Dean’s short run on Strictly.
The Sun reported that Dean and Phillips have rekindled their relationship. Dean has not posted a separate written statement confirming the relationship status beyond the new photos.
Dean Posted a Birthday Message for Phillips
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The Sun reported that the Instagram Stories photo showed Dean and Phillips cuddled up in a mirror selfie. Dean added the birthday message over the image.
Entertainment Daily also reported that another new post showed the pair dressed smartly while standing together in a sunny garden. The garden photo appeared in Dean’s “Racing season” carousel.
The new posts are the first public signs that Dean and Phillips are spending time together again after their 2024 split.
The Pair Split After His Strictly Exit
Dean and Phillips split in 2024 after about a year of dating. The breakup came weeks after Dean was eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing.
Dean was partnered with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova during the 2024 series. The Sun reported that Dean and Bychkova were the first couple eliminated that season after a shock result.
After Dean and Phillips’ split was revealed, a source told MailOnline that the breakup had nothing to do with Strictly. The source said the relationship had “naturally run its course” and that the split was amicable.
The Breakup Drew “Strictly Curse” Headlines
The “Strictly curse” is the tabloid phrase used when relationships break down during or after a celebrity appears on the BBC dance competition.
In Dean’s case, the reporting at the time included a denial that the show caused the split. The MailOnline source said the timing was coincidental and that Dean and Phillips remained on good terms.
Entertainment Daily noted that Dean later sparked romance speculation with Bychkova in December 2024 after they reunited ahead of the Strictly final.
Nadiya Bychkova Later Returned for Another Series
Bychkova returned to Strictly in 2025 and was paired with rugby player Chris Robshaw. The Sun reported that they became the third couple eliminated from that series. The outlet also reported that Bychkova was later confirmed not to be returning for the 2026 season.